Hildegard to the Provost Richard
The Letters
Indersdorf
Hildegard to the Provost Richard Before 1170 Hildegard gives advice to the provost in the form of two allegorical images.
He Who Is [cf. Ex 3.14; Apoc 1.4] showed these things to me, saying: Say to that man, O man, in my sight, you are like a wooden tabernacle built by hand. And at the door of this building, two images are knocking. The one, filled with eyes [cf.
Ezech 1.18], has black hair, and her name is Fear of the Lord. And she says to you: I wish to sanctify you with sacrifices. Therefore, yield to me, and I will enter your chamber, and I will bring forth a sweet odor of musk and spices in you. O knight, do not be slow to run with your sheepfold, and lead it to righteousness under the care of the Living Eye.
The other image is like a trumpet shining in a white cloud, and she wears a man's crown on her head, and her name is Fortitude. And she says the following to you: Ha, why do you sleep in your knowledge like a country bumpkin who gladly keeps still and will not fight with sword and spear in armor and helmet? Therefore, sound forth like a trumpet amidst many waters, and do not keep quiet, and my companions and I will help you. Stand on the wall of the temple, and do not be afraid of the violent winds, but know that you are a column in the palace of the King. Also, flee the double tongue, which is the wound of the soul, but speak truthfully everywhere, like the sun. And we will gladly make our habitation in you.
A Certain Provost to Hildegard Before 1173 The provost gives thanks that, in these times, God has instilled a feminine breast with virile strength. Cutting his letter short because he knows that Hildegard is busy, he asks simply for her consoling prayers.
N., by the grace of God called provost in Indersdorf, to the sister Hildegard, mistress at Mount St Rupert, may she abound in the spirit of fortitude.
The holiness of your religious belief has influenced many people, especially those in religious orders, and has filled them with the sweetness of your holy